LEROY ANDERSON CENTENNIAL

Woodbury, Connecticut

Leroy and Eleanor Anderson spent the summer of 1946 at Painter Hill in Woodbury, Connecticut with their young daughter Jane. It was in July of that year that Leroy first had the idea for "Sleigh Ride," the winter seasonal piece that was to become his best known composition. He finished the work in February of 1948. His recording of "Sleigh Ride," released in November of 1949 was an instant hit. It was in 1949 that the Andersons decided to make Woodbury their permanent home. Over the next 25 years Leroy Anderson wrote most of his best known compositions at their new home at Grassy Hill.